'''Isaac Coles''' (1780-1841)<ref>This article is based on Douglas Evans, [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=6170 ''Jefferson's Neighbors,''] Monticello Research Report, 1995.</ref> was [[Thomas Jefferson|Thomas Jefferson's]] private secretary from 1805 to 1809. He was the fifth son of Col. John Coles II and Rebecca Elizabeth Tucker and Dolley Madison's cousin. Reportedly, the "A" in his name stood for Albemarle County and it was added to distinguish himself from an uncle and two cousins with the same name.<ref>William B. Coles, [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=17512 ''The Coles Family of Virginia and its Numerous Connection''] (New York: 1931), 93.</ref> He attended the College of William and Mary and became a member of the Albemarle County bar. After serving as Jefferson's secretary, he stayed on as [[James Madison|James Madison's]] private secretary until [[Edward Coles]] could start.<ref>Irving Brant, [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=319 ''James Madison''] (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1956), 5:115.</ref> During the War of 1812, Coles served as a major, then lieutenant colonel, and finally a full colonel in the regular army. Late in life, Coles served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1840-1841). He married twice, first in 1823 to Louisa Gertrude Nivison (1795-1824) and then in 1830 to Juliana Stricker Rankin (1796-1876), with whom he had two children, Julia Isaetta (1831-1907) and John Stricker (1832-1909).

+

'''Isaac Coles''' (1780-1841)<ref>This article is based on Douglas Evans, [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=6170 ''Jefferson's Neighbors,''] Monticello Research Report, 1995.</ref> was [[Thomas Jefferson|Thomas Jefferson's]] private secretary from 1805 to 1809. He was the fifth son of Col. [[John Coles II]] and Rebecca Elizabeth Tucker and Dolley Madison's cousin. Reportedly, the "A" in his name stood for Albemarle County and it was added to distinguish himself from an uncle and two cousins with the same name.<ref>William B. Coles, [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=17512 ''The Coles Family of Virginia and its Numerous Connections''] (New York: 1931), 93.</ref> He attended the College of William and Mary and became a member of the Albemarle County bar. After serving as Jefferson's secretary, he stayed on as [[James Madison|James Madison's]] private secretary until [[Edward Coles]] could start.<ref>Irving Brant, [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=319 ''James Madison''] (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1956), 5:115.</ref> During the War of 1812, Coles served as a major, then lieutenant colonel, and finally a full colonel in the regular army. Late in life, Coles served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1840-1841). He married twice, first in 1823 to Louisa Gertrude Nivison (1795-1824) and then in 1830 to Juliana Stricker Rankin (1796-1876), with whom he had two children, Julia Isaetta (1831-1907) and John Stricker (1832-1909).

Coles' relationship with Jefferson was considered close. During his second term, Jefferson relied on him to handle important and confidential information as the president tried to steer a neutral course during the Napoleonic Wars. They were neighbors and their families knew one another. Also, they both were generous to one another and on occasions presented each other with gifts, including Jefferson's presentation of a Kosciuzko portrait of himself to Coles, and Coles purchasing fur-lined gloves for Jefferson in Baltimore. The two exchanged agricultural items like [[Marseilles Fig|fig plants]] and [[peaches]] after Coles returned to Albemarle County from his military service.

Coles' relationship with Jefferson was considered close. During his second term, Jefferson relied on him to handle important and confidential information as the president tried to steer a neutral course during the Napoleonic Wars. They were neighbors and their families knew one another. Also, they both were generous to one another and on occasions presented each other with gifts, including Jefferson's presentation of a Kosciuzko portrait of himself to Coles, and Coles purchasing fur-lined gloves for Jefferson in Baltimore. The two exchanged agricultural items like [[Marseilles Fig|fig plants]] and [[peaches]] after Coles returned to Albemarle County from his military service.

Line 7:

Line 7:

==Primary Source References<ref>Please note that this list should not be considered comprehensive.</ref>==

==Primary Source References<ref>Please note that this list should not be considered comprehensive.</ref>==

-

'''1804 December 3.''' (Jefferson to [[Martha Jefferson Randolph]]). Mr. Burwell being a member of the Virginia legislature has left us to attend it; and Mr. Isaac Coles remains with me during his absence...<ref>[[Short Title List|''Family Letters]], 265.</ref>

+

'''1804 December 3.''' (Jefferson to [[Martha Jefferson Randolph]]). Mr. Burwell being a member of the Virginia legislature has left us to attend it; and Mr. Isaac Coles remains with me during his absence...<ref>[[Short Title List|''Family Letters'']], 265.</ref>

-

'''1807 March 6.''' (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "I wrote to you on Monday evening, and then expected that a morning or two more would have produced a compleat intermission of Mr. Randolph's fever. But it did not...Dr. Jones and Capt. [[Meriwether Lewis|Lewis]] never quit him. Mr. Coles is much with him also..."<ref>Ibid, 298.</ref>

'''1807 March 6.''' (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "I wrote to you on Monday evening, and then expected that a morning or two more would have produced a compleat intermission of Mr. Randolph's fever. But it did not...Dr. Jones and Capt. [[Meriwether Lewis|Lewis]] never quit him. Mr. Coles is much with him also..."<ref>[[Short Title List|''Family Letters'']], 298.</ref>

'''1807 March 16.''' (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "Mr. Randolph continues well...But the quantity of blood taken from him occasions him to recover strenght slowly...The remains of a bad cold hang on me, and for a day or two past some symptoms of periodical head-ace. Mr. Coles and Capt. Lewis are also indisposed, so that we are but a collection of invalids."<ref>Ibid, 302.</ref>

'''1807 March 16.''' (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "Mr. Randolph continues well...But the quantity of blood taken from him occasions him to recover strenght slowly...The remains of a bad cold hang on me, and for a day or two past some symptoms of periodical head-ace. Mr. Coles and Capt. Lewis are also indisposed, so that we are but a collection of invalids."<ref>Ibid, 302.</ref>

-

'''1808 April 17.''' (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "I think Congress will certainly rise on the 25th...; in that case I think I shall leave this within 10. days after; probably on the 5th, and breakfast with you on the 8th. Mr. Burwell and Mr. Coles will be with me."<ref>Ibid, 342.</ref>

'''1808 April 17.''' (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "I think Congress will certainly rise on the 25th...; in that case I think I shall leave this within 10. days after; probably on the 5th, and breakfast with you on the 8th. Mr. Burwell and Mr. Coles will be with me."<ref>[[Short Title List|''Family Letters'']], 342.</ref>

+

+

'''1808 July 6.'''' "Paid Isaac A. Coles 100.D. cash. Gave him ord. on bank for 250.D. viz. for the gold, & 150.D. a quarter's salary."<ref>[[Short Title List|''MB'']], 2:1227.</ref>

+

+

'''1808 October 10.''' "Drew ord. on bank US. in favr. of I.A. Coles for 150.D."<ref>Ibid, 2:1232.</ref>

Current revision

Isaac Coles (1780-1841)[1] was Thomas Jefferson's private secretary from 1805 to 1809. He was the fifth son of Col. John Coles II and Rebecca Elizabeth Tucker and Dolley Madison's cousin. Reportedly, the "A" in his name stood for Albemarle County and it was added to distinguish himself from an uncle and two cousins with the same name.[2] He attended the College of William and Mary and became a member of the Albemarle County bar. After serving as Jefferson's secretary, he stayed on as James Madison's private secretary until Edward Coles could start.[3] During the War of 1812, Coles served as a major, then lieutenant colonel, and finally a full colonel in the regular army. Late in life, Coles served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1840-1841). He married twice, first in 1823 to Louisa Gertrude Nivison (1795-1824) and then in 1830 to Juliana Stricker Rankin (1796-1876), with whom he had two children, Julia Isaetta (1831-1907) and John Stricker (1832-1909).

Coles' relationship with Jefferson was considered close. During his second term, Jefferson relied on him to handle important and confidential information as the president tried to steer a neutral course during the Napoleonic Wars. They were neighbors and their families knew one another. Also, they both were generous to one another and on occasions presented each other with gifts, including Jefferson's presentation of a Kosciuzko portrait of himself to Coles, and Coles purchasing fur-lined gloves for Jefferson in Baltimore. The two exchanged agricultural items like fig plants and peaches after Coles returned to Albemarle County from his military service.

Coles lived at the family plantation, Enniscorthy, in the southern part of Albemarle County. He inherited the property after his father's death in 1808, but the house was destroyed in a fire in 1839.

1807 March 6. (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "I wrote to you on Monday evening, and then expected that a morning or two more would have produced a compleat intermission of Mr. Randolph's fever. But it did not...Dr. Jones and Capt. Lewis never quit him. Mr. Coles is much with him also..."[13]

1807 March 16. (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "Mr. Randolph continues well...But the quantity of blood taken from him occasions him to recover strenght slowly...The remains of a bad cold hang on me, and for a day or two past some symptoms of periodical head-ace. Mr. Coles and Capt. Lewis are also indisposed, so that we are but a collection of invalids."[14]

1808 April 17. (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "I think Congress will certainly rise on the 25th...; in that case I think I shall leave this within 10. days after; probably on the 5th, and breakfast with you on the 8th. Mr. Burwell and Mr. Coles will be with me."[21]

1808 July 6.' "Paid Isaac A. Coles 100.D. cash. Gave him ord. on bank for 250.D. viz. for the gold, & 150.D. a quarter's salary."[22]

1808 October 10. "Drew ord. on bank US. in favr. of I.A. Coles for 150.D."[23]